Virginia wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, Virginia has a median annual wage of $53,020 and a mean of $72,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — +7.1% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #11 of 51 states by mean wage. About 4,064,640 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in Virginia is Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in Virginia: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in Virginia for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | Virginia median | US median | Virginia jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $134,470 | $133,080 | 83,290 |
| Registered Nurses | $88,820 | $93,600 | 77,420 |
| Electricians | $61,610 | $62,350 | 24,300 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,500 | $57,440 | 55,430 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $84,190 | $81,680 | 50,220 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,270 | $62,340 | 37,640 |
| Lawyers | $157,980 | $151,160 | 18,420 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,560 | $62,970 | 13,190 |
| Pharmacists | $137,470 | $137,480 | 7,700 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,110 | $76,290 | 19,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in Virginia
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in Virginia, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $239,200+ | $279,820 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physicians | $219,500 | $220,010 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $192,870 | $202,070 |
| 4 | Dentists, General | $182,570 | $192,880 |
| 5 | Marketing Managers | $177,250 | $188,500 |
| 6 | Public Relations Managers | $173,880 | $190,250 |
| 7 | Financial Managers | $170,290 | $187,160 |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $168,780 | $175,950 |
| 9 | Human Resources Managers | $161,690 | $169,190 |
| 10 | Lawyers | $157,980 | $173,200 |
| 11 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $153,340 | $159,480 |
| 12 | Computer Network Architects | $148,080 | $153,960 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in Virginia?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Virginia is $53,020 and the mean is $72,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is +7.1% versus the US median of $49,500. Virginia ranks #11 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in Virginia include Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($239,200+), Family Medicine Physicians ($219,500), Computer and Information Systems Managers ($192,870). See the full list on this page.
Are Virginia wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. Virginia's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within Virginia. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20